Nicholas Dupui's general store ledger records 48 different purchases of shalloon fabric -- one of the most popular textiles in his wide-ranging assortment of merchandise. 

A garment lining, offered as "shalloon" in three quality levels (2-1/2, 3, or 4 shillings per yard) or as "blew shalloon" at 3 shillings per yard, this fabric was most often purchased for use as a lining for coats.  Hence, one expectedly sees it being purchased throughout the winter months.

While still not the cheapest fabric, shalloon was known for its versatility and relative ease in dyeing, making it a fashionable choice of cloth for everyone.  Typically purchased in 3 to 8 yard increments, we see it being purchased together with buckram, broadcloth and garlix cloth.  As noted by one textile researcher, "shalloon was not a cloth that was often exclusively used to make clothing. It stayed relevant for the colonial period due to its multiple uses for home décor and its ability to be dyed easily for custom work."

A lightweight twilled fabric of tightly woven wool or worsted, it was also used in blankets, for drapery around beds, and for curtains.

Another researcher notes:  "Shalloon (sometimes also called Ratinett) is a fine, smooth, twill woven worsted fabric frequently used for lining the coats of Officers and Gentlemen. In effect it is a finer quality of serge. In order to provide a smooth surface which is more comfortable and makes the donning of the coat easier, the surface is often given a glazed finish. 

Overall, around 130 yards of shalloon were sold at Dupui's store (and all of it was sold between December 1743 and April of 1745).  We note that one client purchased "the remains of 4 yds. of Shalloon," while another received a credit "by the Shalloon returned".